“If you aren't willing to be great when nobody is watching,” Weddle said, “you don't deserve the chance to be great when everybody is watching.”

Novak was willing. He prepared all offseason for this and applied the training from 46 yards, quieting an audience of green and white.

The last time he remembers hitting a game-winning kick to end a game came in 2006 as a Redskin facing the Cowboys.

Before the kick Sunday, the San Diego native reminded himself he is a Charger.

“When you think of Philip, when you think of Coach McCoy, when you think of Telesco and how important it is to win this game, it takes the pressure off,” Novak said. “You want to do it for them. It's not only about me. It's about winning. It's about the Chargers fans and our team having our first win.

“Doing it in an away game is extra special because it's a hostile environment. If we can do it here, we should be able to do it anywhere.”